Life as an OMA Wife

Once upon a time I was an ordinary wife, however, for several years Martin has been a member of the OMA committee and that has changed our lives dramatically! First, there are committee meetings to attend; second is the work involved in producing the mag; and finally there is the business concerning the reunion dinner to be dealt with. Each of these activities gives Martin great satisfaction, and frequently leaves me in the role either as helper or “OMA widow;” both of which, depending upon my mood, can give me pleasure or extreme irritation.
The best thing about Martin being on the committee are the friendly and good-humoured get-togethers with other committee members and spouses before and after the meetings, and the various activities we spouses engage in while our “other halves” are occupied. A favourite activity is a visit to the Le Strange craft market; however, this July’s hot weather necessitated a visit to the beach, hastily followed by a race along same beach in order to retrieve a large bright yellow sunshade. Some meetings are held at committee members houses; close to Bob Hill’s are three large conical hills said to date from Roman times, Harrogate boasts a spa which has truly evil tasting water, (rotten eggs,) and even Lea has a pretty church and a park. The most memorable event concerning the meeting Martin and I hosted in Lea involved Ian and a collapsing chair! Poor Ian was the only one not to see the funny side of it. I have the highest regard for the friendships strengthened through the spouses’ involvement in these activities, and I strongly believe that it helps to strengthen the OMA
Martin’s work on the Mitre is time-consuming, but generally he enjoys it. My contribution is minimal, although I once compiled a crossword that no one attempted to complete! Sometimes Martin asks me to proofread sections of the mag, he then goes ballistic if I don’t point out spelling mistakes. You would think that after thirty years of marriage he would know that I am the world’s worst speller! Other than giving a little advice when asked, my main contribution has been to fold the magazines after Martin has stapled the pages together. Producing the Mitre can be time-consuming, but while Martin is busy, it enables me to get on with my own agenda.
The A.G.M. and reunion weekend form the most important parts of Martin’s OMA year, and I also am carried along by the excitement of it all, and at the prospect of meeting old friends, and perhaps making new ones. Before Martin had a computer, each name-badge and place setting was hand written in italic script, by me, now it is done by electronic wizardry. As membership secretary, Martin has some idea as to who might be coming to the reunion, although final figures are rarely known until the day before, (if then.) This creates a logistics nightmare; however, through the simple expedient of blank pieces of card, italic pens, sticky tape and many small gold safety pins, all eventualities can (hopefully) be met. October is a very busy month in our house, this year we have the wedding of our eldest son as well, so it will be even busier! During this period, in order to make sure that everything has been done accurately, I sometimes help Martin to double-check his work, however, as I am a complete technophobe, I only comment on work in it’s printed form, there is no way that I am prepared to try to alter or amend anything on the computer.
Last year Martin was ill, and Bill Cullin edited and printed the autumn Mitre nonetheless, Martin still made nametags and place settings. My main task at the time was to keep a tight hold of him when he insisted on going walkabout. Why is it that men think they are indispensable? Not only Bill and Jane, but many other Old Michaelian’s and their partners, too numerous to mention, were very kind and helpful; there were times when I felt (almost) redundant. Thankfully, Martin is now almost fully recovered, he can’t wait to get into the thick of things again, and as this year is so special, the reunion itself will be very special.
My life as an “OMA widow” has far more rewards than drawbacks. Where else and with whom could I be able to rely on so many and such good friends, even though my role is purely peripheral, and what else is guaranteed to keep my husband occupied, often for hours on end, with such rewarding results? Most of the time I find it interesting and even stimulating to be involved in some small part with Martin’s work for the OMA, however, I would ask not to check spellings in the future!

Barbara Graville